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Drink-driver was on friend's stag do in Carlisle

A motorist caught over the limit as he drove through Carlisle told the police: “I’m on my pal’s stag do!”

At the city’s magistrates’ court yesterday, William David Gibson, 41, of Cumnock, Ayrshire, admitted a single count of drink-driving.

The court heard how he came to the attention of police on the afternoon of Thursday, May 1 as he drove the wrong way along Spencer Street, in Carlisle city centre.

Police then tailed him along Eden Bridge, noticing how his car was weaving across the road’s lanes. When stopped, the defendant, who had two passengers with him, said he had been making his way back to Scotland after the stag do.

His breath smelled strongly of alcohol, said the officers.

Anthony Wilson, for Gibson, said his client had been unfamiliar with the road system in Carlisle and that traffic at the time was “very light”.

The lawyer added: “Mr Gibson said the police kept him for four hours and then he was released and allowed to drive his car home.

“He has a clean licence and he’s a working man. I’ve explained [to him] that he will be disqualified.”

He banned the defendant from driving for 20 months, pointing out that if he completes a drink drivers’ rehabilitation course within a specified time limit, costing £160, his ban will be reduced by a quarter.